Perfect Days
| Perfect Days | |
|---|---|
 International release poster | |
| Directed by | Wim Wenders |
| Written by |
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| Produced by | |
| Starring | Kōji Yakusho |
| Cinematography | Franz Lustig[1] |
| Edited by | Toni Froschhammer[1] |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 123 minutes[2] |
| Countries |
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| Language | Japanese |
Perfect Days is a 2023 drama film directed by Wim Wenders, from a script written by Wenders and Takuma Takasaki.[3] A co-production between Japan and Germany, the film combines four short stories and stars Kōji Yakusho in the role of a toilet cleaner.[4]
The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered on 25 May and won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Best Actor Award for Kōji Yakusho. It was selected as the Japanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[5]
Synopsis[edit]
Hirayama works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. He seems content with his simple life. He follows a structured everyday life and dedicates his free time to his passion for music and books. Hirayama also has a fondness for trees and photographs them. More of his past is gradually revealed through a series of unexpected encounters.[6]
Cast[edit]
- Kōji Yakusho as Hirayama
- Tokio Emoto as Takashi
- Arisa Nakano as Niko
- Aoi Yamada as Aya
- Yumi Asō as Keiko
- Sayuri Ishikawa as Mama
- Tomokazu Miura as Tomoyama
- Min Tanaka as Homeless[1]
Production[edit]
Right after the pandemic, Wenders was invited to Tokyo by Koji Yanai to observe the Tokyo Toilet Project, a project in which Japanese public toilets were redesigned in 17 locations throughout Shibuya with the help of 16 creators invited from around the world. Wenders was invited to take a look at the uniqueness of each of these facilities. At first, the producers envisioned Wenders would make a short film or series of short films on the facilities, but he opted for a feature film, with co-screenwriter Takuma Takasaki explaining that the conception of the character of Hirayama felt like new territory for them.[7][8] The film is produced by Master Mind Limited (Japan) and Spoon Inc. (Japan) in collaboration with Wenders Images (Germany).[6][2]
The film was shot over 17 days in Tokyo.[9]
Release[edit]
Perfect Days was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[10] where it had its world premiere on 25 May 2023.[11] It was also invited to the 27th Lima Film Festival in the Acclaimed section, where it was screened on 11 August 2023.[12] Subsequent screenings were held at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and 2023 New York Film Festival.[13][14] World sales were handled by The Match Factory,[6] with Neon distributing the film in the United States, and Mubi distributing the film in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey and Latin American regions.[15] Perfect Days is set for release in Germany on 21 December 2023 by DCM,[16] and in Japan on 22 December by Bitters End.[17]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 93% based on 59 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "An absorbing slice-of-life drama led by a remarkable Kôji Yakusho performance, Perfect Days adds a quietly soaring gem to director/co-writer Wim Wenders' estimable filmography."[18] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 13 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[19]
Hsin Wang of FIPRESCI described the film as Wim Wenders' lifetime masterpiece.[20]
German film journalist Dieter Osswald wrote, "With furious ease, Wenders succeeds in making a rather perfect film."[21]
Awards and nominations[edit]
See also[edit]
- List of submissions to the 96th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Japanese submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
Notes[edit]
- ^ Shared with Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Perfect Days". The Match Factory. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ a b "PERFECT DAYS". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (25 May 2023). "Perfect Days review – Wim Wenders explores a quiet life in Tokyo". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Breitenbach, Dagmar (12 May 2022). "Tokyo's public toilets inspire Wim Wenders". DW. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "出品を希望する方へ│米国アカデミー賞│一般社団法人日本映画製作者連盟". www.eiren.org (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Wiseman, Andreas (14 April 2023). "The Match Factory To Handle Wim Wenders' Tokyo-Set Cannes Competition Entry 'Perfect Days', Film Details & First-Look Revealed". Deadline. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Manelis, Michele (11 June 2023). ""Perfect Days": Portrait of a Simple Man in a Tokyo Story by Wim Wenders". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Yukinori, Hashino (14 July 2023). "The Tokyo Toilet Project Makes a Splash in Shibuya and Cannes". Nippon.com. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Thorpe, Vanessa (18 May 2023). "Wim Wenders: cinema today 'makes me nauseous'". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ a b "The films of the Official Selection 2023". Festival de Cannes. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
- ^ mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Perfect Days". 27 PUCP Lima Film Festival (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (10 August 2023). "TIFF 2023 Centerpiece Program Showcases Aki Kaurismäki, Wim Wenders, Agnieszka Holland, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (8 August 2023). "New York Film Festival Unveils 2023 Lineup: 'Zone of Interest,' 'Poor Things,' 'Anatomy of a Fall' and More". Variety. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (31 May 2023). "Wim Wenders' Cannes Competition Title 'Perfect Days' Sells Out For The Match Factory". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (23 May 2023). "Cannes: DCM Takes Wim Wenders Festival Double Pack for Germany". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ Rosser, Michael (30 August 2023). "'Perfect Days', 'Godzilla Minus One' to booked Tokyo film festival 2023". Screen International. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ "Perfect Days". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Perfect Days". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
- ^ "Return To Essence At Cannes 2023". Fipresci.org. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ "Perfect Days". doppelpunkt.de. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (27 May 2023). "Cannes Awards: 'Anatomy of a Fall' Takes Palme d'Or, 'The Zone of Interest' and 'The Pot au Feu' Among Winners". Variety. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ Rouden, Céline (27 May 2023). "Palmarès Festival de Cannes 2023 : La Française Justine Triet remporte la Palme d'or". La Croix (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "FESTIVALS: CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival 2023 Announces Lineup". FilmNewEurope. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "OFFICIAL SELECTION "CAMERA 300"NARRATIVE FEATURES". Manaki Brothers - International Cinematographers' Film Festival. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (3 October 2023). "Asia Pacific Screen Awards: Ryusuke Hamaguchi's 'Evil Does Not Exist' Leads Nominations & First Round Winners Announced". Deadline. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (3 November 2023). "'Perfect Days' Wins Best Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards as Japan, Korea, Kazakh Titles Dominate". Variety. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ "2023 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners Announced! | Montclair Film". montclairfilm.org. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (10 December 2023). "2023 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC): 'The Holdovers' Wins Best Film, Actor, Supporting Actress, Screenplay". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (9 December 2023). "The 2023 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Eric. "2023 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". awardswatch.com. AwardsWatch. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (7 December 2023). "'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations". Awards Watch. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
External links[edit]
Perfect Days review – Wim Wenders explores a quiet life in Tokyo
Bittersweet tale of an apparently contented toilet cleaner has an ambient urban charm, but feels a little too understated
Wim Wenders’s new film, co-scripted by him with writer-director Takuma Takasaki, is a bittersweet quirky-Zen character study set in Tokyo which only comes fully to life in the final extended shot of the hero’s face, drifting back and forth between happiness and sadness. There are some lovely magic-hour scenes from cinematographer Franz Lustig, shooting in the boxy “Academy” frame.
Hirayama, played by Koji Yakusho (from Shohei Imamura’s The Eel) is a middle-aged man employed as a toilet cleaner, who drives around serenely from job to job in his van, listening to classic rock and pop on old-school audio cassettes: Patti Smith, the Kinks and of course, given the title, Lou Reed. At each location, he changes into a jumpsuit and with his brushes and mop matter-of-factly gets on with the job in hand.
With a hand-mirror, he has to check under the lavatory bowl and behind the urinals for … well, never mind … he never finds anything awful, and in fact the toilets are never remotely horrific. On his lunch-hour he reads and takes photos of trees and smiles acceptingly at everything that presents itself to his senses. He has a particular fondness for the city’s “Skytree” tower. Hirayama has a goofy and unreliable young assistant whose purpose is to point up Hirayama’s tolerant maturity and calm.
But who is Hirayama? His small and ascetic apartment is filled with books, music cassettes and boxes of his photos: he is clearly a very intelligent and cultured man who maybe once enjoyed great social status and has chosen this monkish existence for reasons of his own, in retreat from personal pain maybe? Answers appear to emerge when he peeps round the door of a certain bar, and also when his cool niece (Arisa Nakano) comes to stay and he is then confronted by this girl’s mother, his sister, who tells him their father’s dementia is still a problem and seems stunned by what Hirayama does for a living these days.
Perfect Days has a kind of ambient urban charm and Yakusho anchors the film with his understated wisdom and presence: rightly, Wenders doesn’t reveal too much too early about his hero and doesn’t try to tie everything up too neatly. But I found something a little too subdued in this film, though the evocation of Tokyo itself is very uncliched, despite the emphasis on something that is the subject of so many touristy jokes: the loos. Not perfect, but engaging enough.
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